The palace felt strangely silent that morning.
Shisui stood before his father, Masaki Morinaka, the proud and commanding Daimyō of the Land of Flowers. The garden behind them bloomed with lavender roses and sakura trees, but the weight of the moment eclipsed the fragrance.
"You've grown strong, Shisui," Masaki said. "But strength without service means nothing."
Shisui didn't speak—he knew his father wasn't finished.
"It's time you lived among the people you'll one day represent," Masaki continued. "You'll be moving to Hanagakure, our Hidden Bloom Village. I've arranged for a mansion on the eastern hillside—modest by noble standards, but secure and suited for a growing household."
Shisui blinked. "Household?"
Masaki's smile was unreadable. "You won't be going alone. Naoko and Himeya will accompany you."
The weight of the decision hit him like a wave, but Shisui bowed.
"Yes, Father."
That afternoon, Shisui stood at the mansion gates overlooking Hanagakure, nestled between flower fields and terraced cliffs. The mansion was sleek and modestly elegant, constructed from sakura wood and white stone, surrounded by gardens that shimmered with Arch Energy-infused plants.
Naoko and Himeya explored in silence, both adjusting to their shared future. Despite the tension, they each had a room of their own, and for now, peace held.
As night fell, Shisui stood on the balcony, gazing over the softly glowing village. The path of a flower-bloomed warrior was just beginning.